7 Critical Home Inspection Tips

Thursday, April 12th, 2007 at 11:37 am

There is no doubt about it. Home inspections are a must!

Even if you are able to talk a seller into your creative financing deal. Even if you do get in without having to qualify for a mortgage so there is no lender required a home inspection. You still need to inspect it.

A professional home inspection is always recommended and is about the best investment you can make when buying a new home. Have you ever seen "The Money Pit" with Tom Hanks? If not, go rent it at the video store and then seriously consider hiring a home inspector.

You still need to make an initial inspection to be certain you want the home. The seller may be selling because expensive repairs are needed. At this stage, you just don't know. So you need to find out.

Look closely at the following areas on your walk through before making an offer. Incidentally, this should only be a counter offer. NEVER, be the first to make an offer.

1 - Outside Condition

- Is painting or siding needed?
- How is the trim. Does it need replacing or painting?
- Gutters - do they need cleaning or repair? Are the down spouts intact and sound?
- How is the fence? Is it about to fall over?
- Is the landscaping satisfactory?
- Does any masonry or brick work need repair?
- How about the roof? Is it clean and in good repair? How old is it?
- Is the driveway sound?
- Signs of ant or termite damage?

2 - Inside Condition

- Do the rooms need paper or painting?
- Any wall, ceiling or door repair needed?
- Light fixture need replacing? Do the switches all work?
- Floor in good shape?
- Molding, nobs, blinds, locks, etc., all in good shape?
- Any apparent leakage around the doors and windows?

3 - Kitchen

- Is he lighting adequate?
- Sinks and faucets in good repair?
- Counter tops okay?
- Is there a garbage disposal? Does it work?
- All of the cupboard doors and shelving in good shape?

4 - Bathrooms

- Tub and/or shower in good repair?
- Counter tops?
- Sinks?
- Mirror/Medicine Cabinet?
- Any sign of water damage? Dry rot?

5 - Appliances

- Stove - do all the burners work? How old is it? Any sign of fire?
- Microwave?
- Trash compactor?
- Water heater?

6 - Heating and Air Conditioning

- Do they work okay?
- Even temperature throughout the house?
- How old are they?

7 - Laundry Room

- Washer & Dryer included?
- Any sign of water damage? Dry rot?

This is by no means an all inclusive list. And you may decide to accept and repair some things which are not up to snuff. But you do need to keep your eyes and mind open for serious problems. Don't just grab a home because it's there and you can make a deal on it. That is unless you enjoy spending more time making repairs than you do with your family.